This year, the anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II falls on the exact day he died 11 years ago, Easter Saturday, (First Saturday) and the day before Divine Mercy Sunday.
Start a novena either on Holy Thursday or Good Friday.
Novena Prayer to St. John Paul II
Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! Bless the church that you loved and served and guided, courageously leading it along the paths of the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again, help them look up high again to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.
May you bless families, bless each family! You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that blossoms from the family.
Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. You tackled war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.
Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, where we see you next to Mary, send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen.(mention your intentions here)
Litany to Saint John Paul II
Kyrie eleison; Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison; Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison; Kyrie eleison
Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
St. John Paul II, pray for us
Perfect disciple of Christ, pray for us
Generously gifted with the gifts of the Holy Spirit; pray for us
Great apostle of Divine Mercy; pray for us
Faithful Son of Mary; pray for us
Totally dedicated to the Mother of God; pray for us
Persevering preacher of the Gospel; pray for us
Pilgrim Pope; pray for us
Pope of the Millennium; pray for us
Model of industry; pray for us
Model of priests; pray for us
Drawing strength from the Eucharist; pray for us
Untiring man of prayer; pray for us
Lover of the rosary; pray for us
Strength of those doubting their faith; pray for us
Desiring to unite all those who believe in Christ; pray for us
Converter of sinners; pray for us
Defender of the dignity of every person; pray for us
Defender of life from conception to natural death; pray for us
Praying for the gift of parenthood for the infertile; pray for us
Friend of children; pray for us
Leader of youth; pray for us
Intercessor of families, pray for us
Comforter of the suffering; pray for us
Manly bearing his pain; pray for us
Sower of divine joy; pray for us
Great intercessor for peace; pray for us
Pride of the Polish nation; pray for us
Brilliance of the Holy Church; pray for us
That we may be faithful imitators of Christ; pray for us
That we may be strong with the power of the Holy Spirit;
pray for us
That we may have trust in the Mother of God; pray for us
That we may grow in our faith, hope, and charity; pray for us
That we may live in peace in our families; pray for us
That we may know how to forgive; pray for us
That we may know how to bear suffering; pray for us
That we may not succumb to the culture of death; pray for us
That we may not be afraid and courageously fight off various
temptations; pray for us
That he would intercede for us the grace of a happy death; pray
for us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, O
Lord
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, graciously
hear us, O Lord
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy
on us
Pray for us, Saint John Paul II, That we
may become worthy of the promises of Christ. AMEN
PRAYER FOR THE SICK
Saint John Paul, you invited us to look at the difficult situations in our lives from the perspective of faith, so as to see the mystery of pain’s contribution to our lives. In Jesus, who suffered with us and for us, you have taught us to find meaning and value in the physical and psychological ills that often fill our days and nights. We pray for all those who have suffered the effects of war and for those who carry the burden of illness for a lifetime. We entrust to your prayers those who are in hospitals and nursing homes; people who are disabled or emotionally disturbed; men, women and children who have a terminal illness and who live the Calvary of suffering and loneliness. May those who accompany and care for the sick find their hearts expanded by love. May they recognize in the sick the presence of the poor, crucified Christ. We pray for those who have turned their back on God and faith because of the seemingly unanswerable question of suffering, that they might discover that the mystery of pain can only be understood in Jesus Christ who reveals to us most deeply who we are. In their pain, may they hear the words of the Master: “Follow me.” AMEN. (mention those whom you are praying for who are ill and/or suffering)
Imprimatur: Sean Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Boston
